Pressure-feeding apparatus



Patented oct. 23, 1912.8.,v

LYMAN C. EUFF, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,

VASSIGrNOR TO UNIVERSAL OIL PRODUCTS COMPANY, OIF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATIONv OF SOUTH DAKOTA.

PRESSURE-FEEDING APPARATUS.

Application led August 16, 1923, Serial No. 657 750. Renewed May 28, 1928.

are to provide an apparatus whereby a fluid substance may be charged continuously under a relatively constant pressure to separate ,units having the same amount of material charged to each unit, and a constant pressure upon the supplylpipe to provide an apparatus whereby a uniform feed 1s made possible by automatically controlling the speedpof' the" supply pump, secondly, by means of .afrelief valve actuated'when excess pressure 'i'sbuiltl upon a supply. drum, and third, bymaintaining an air or gas cushion adapte-dto absorb the pump pulsations and variations.

The singlefigure is a diagrammatic view of the apparatuslayout, showing the means of connecting the different lines to produce the desired eifect. The chargin system will b e explained in connection wit supplylng 011 to a pressure system for the purpose of destructive distillation or cracking, but 1t 1s understood that the apparatus is adapted to use in any type ofsystem wherein a liquld or fluid material is introduced simultaneously to a plurality of units which .are maintained under a common pressure.

Referring to the drawing, the oil to be treated is introduced from any convenient source through the oil supply line 1, and is directed through a pipe 2 controlled by a valve 3 to the suction side of the pump 4. The discharge side of 'the pump charges the oil through a line 5 to a receiver or-charging chamber 6. A valve 7 is interposed in the line 5.

The oil is charged to the chamber 6 and is there maintained at a level which may be ascertained by means of the liquid level gauges 8. Above the oilis maintained a gas or air space into which is charged incondensable gas or air to -a predetermined pressure, according to the pressure which is maintained in the pressure units to which the oil is to be charged. This gas'or air is injected into the chamber through a line 9 controlled by a valve 10. If desired, the incondensable gas from the receiving tank, not shown, maybe used. The oil from the charging chamber is directed through a pipe 11 controlled by a valve 12, and passes thence into the pressure header 13 into which are connected a plural` charging line, and. valve 22 in the bypassl line. A pressure gauge 23 is-connected into the header for registering the pressure therein.- 'Also pressure gauges 24 are connected into the 4by-pass lines for similar purposes.

The linex 11 connecting with the pressure header hask interposedtherein-a T connection, y. one outlet of which is connected by a by-pass line 25c -1ntrolled by a valve 26 to the charging line 5, the latter being connected to the discharge side of the pump 4. Thus,if for A v. any reason it is desired'to cutoutflreleharging chamber, the oil may be by-passeddireptly' to the header 13 from the line-thronigh by?" pass 25. This control is effected by mani ulation of Valv'es7, 12 and 26. 'i To that'portion of the charging chamber which contains the gas or a1r cushion 1s connected` a pipe 27 by .means of which the pressure in the chamber is transmitted a steam governor or control valve 28 actuated by the pressure in the receiver. The function' of this control valve is to regulate the steam supply to the pump, and thereby control the speed of the pump and the amount of charging stock supplied to the charging chamber. A byfpass 29 controlled by valves 30 and 31 is connected around the steam supply line 32. In a like manner a pressure line 33 communicating with the vapor space of the charging chamber, has interposed therein alpressure relief valve -34 actuated when a predetermined pressure has built-up in the receiver to open the by-pa'ss line 35 causing a portion of the charging stock forced through the line 5 to be recycled through'the by-pass line 35 and introduced to lthe line 2 or the suction side of thepump 4. The by-pass line 35 is also equipped with a secondary by-pass line 36, the latter being controlled by valve 37. Normally valves 34 and 37 are closed, valve 34 being opened only when an excess pressure is developed in the chamber 6, the valve 37 being manually oper( able.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows: The oil introduced and charged by the pump 4 to the charging chamber is there maintained in a considerable body under pressure, which is imposed by an air or gas cushion above the oil.l From tliis,'the oil body is continuously supplied charging stock to-.tlieY separate units, not shown, connected to the pressure header 13 Aby secondary connecting lines 14, 15, 16 and 17; The presence of the oil body in the charging chamber -assuresat all times adequate liquid, and serves to absorb any pump pulsations or variations which commonly result from uneven operation of the charging pump.` f

A pressure line 2T connects 'the chamber A 6 with the steam control Avalve 28 which Vregulatesthejspeed otl the charging pump in accordance with the pressure in the charging chamber. Thus, if tlielevel of the liquid in thechaiging chamber rises, the pressure on the gaseous inziterial'above the liquid will rise, registered by the pressure gauge` 38. This excessv pressure in the charging cham-A ber will operate the steam control valve 2S and decrease the speed of the pump, thus permitting less charging stoel; to enter the charging chamber. This excess pressure on the gaseous material inthe charging chamber is a1so.transmitted through the line 33, and operates the pressure relief valve 34 causing a portion of the charging stock to be bypassed from the discharge line 5v of the pump back to the suction side ot' the pump through the by-.pass line 35.

By means of the apparatus, a smooth constant flou1 of liquid is introduced to the separate units, and a more uniform operation Awhich tends to produce more efficient and Y satisfactory results in the production of materials in the separate units, is elected.

I claim as .my invention:

1. ln a lluid charging apparatus for pres-` sure systems, the combination with a pump interposed in a supply line, of a liquid res-` ervoir connected thereto receiving the fluid pumped through the supply line, a drawo from said reservoir communicating With sep arate unitsto be supplied with liquid, means for `introducing an extraneous Vgas under pressure to the reservoir above the body of liquid maintained thereinh to maintain the liquid in the reservoir under a predetermined pressure sulicient to supply liquid to said units, against the pressure maintained therein, and means communicating with the reservoir for automatically varying the speed-0f the pump operated by variations inthe pres` sure in the reservoir, and an auxiliary line A communicating wit-li the reservoir operated by variations in the pressure therein to bypass the Vexcess liquid from the discharge side ot' side pump back tothe .suction si e thereof. 1

2. A method otsupplyinv liquidat anni;

form rate of flow to a plura ity of units, each l maintained under a predetermined pressure, consisting in charging the liquid under pump pressure to an enlarged zone, in maintainin a substantial body of liquid inthe enlarge Zone under a predetermined pressure 1inposcd by the introduction of an extraneous gasto said chamber, in continuously supplying liquid from said Ybody to said separate' units against the pressure maintained in said units, and in automatically maintaimng the volume of lquidinsaid chamberv and pressure maintained on the body of li uid therein substantially constant by simicilltaneously controlling .the speed 'of operation of the pump and by-passing a portion of the liquid discharged from the pump back to the suction side thereof. I l' A method of supplying liquid at a uniform rate of flow to a plurality of units, each maintained under a predetermined pressure, consisting in `charging the liquid under liquid discharged from the pump back to the suction side thereon.

LYMAN o. HUFF. 

